5th Annual Great Bunkhouse Rubber Ducky Race

Arrival and Introduction

For several years, I have organized art retreats out to the Bunkhouse in Cypress Mill. It's a great place for a retreat, because you are out in the boondocks and away from all distractions. You are surrounded by other artists, and we tend to "feed" off each other and get inspired to create masterpieces!

AND...it is on a working ranch - The Wenmohs Ranch, - right in the middle of the beautiful Texas' hill country.

I also include some kind of "diversion" that tends to "weed" out the stuffy artists from attending! One of my diversions is a Rubber Ducky Disguise Contest. Also we have a Rubber Ducky Race which is held in the spring fed Cypress Creek.

We all have a wonderful time...and get a little fatter on artist supplied food, which is ALWAYS delicious!

I took some of these pictures, but I also had a good camera buddy, Carol Hoyland, who took some, and I am using hers as well, in this presentation.

This is Carol Hoyland who arrived on Friday with the Northwest Art League artists. That crazy, barking Blue Lacy dog is Roscoe Parker, head of Ranch Security.

First recognized by the Texas senate in 2001 as "a true Texas breed," the blue lacy was designated the "official state dog breed of Texas" on June 18, 2005. Originating in Texas in the mid 1800's, the blue lacy was named after the Lacy Brothers of Burnet County (Frank, George, Edwin, and Harry Lacy). The Lacy brothers noted the dog to be a coyote, greyhound and scenthound mixture. The Blue Lacy Game Dog breed is officially recognized by the National Kennel Club (NKC).

Lacies are clean in appearance with tight, smooth, sleek coats (usually gray, sometimes red or cream). There is always some white on the lower chest (and sometimes on the paws). Adults are 18-25 inches at the shoulder and weigh 25 - 50 pounds, with unique yellow to orange colored eyes. The blue lacy has a natural herding instinct which enables it to work everything from chickens in the barnyard to the toughest Texas Longhorn cattle.

Blue lacies can also be indoor dogs -devoted to family and good with children, but as a working breed needs daily strenuous activity. The breed is known to be extremely intelligent and very easy to train. Blue lacies are very sensitive to loud noise and should not be kept near loud environments (they can become nervous when reprimanded too harshly and respond better to firm, quiet commands).